Accessible housing by design – ramps
People who inhabit and visit the houses we live in come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from infants to seniors, with various ever-changing abilities and skills. As we grow…Read more
Health & security dhp
Home Maintenance – What’s wrong with that tree?
Structural defects occur in trees for a number of reasons, and even though a tree may be structurally compromised, it could live on for years. One example is a tree…Read more
Product Innovation: Kerdi-Board – What you don’t see could inspire you!
I love to hear about building material innovations. With that being said, I also tend to wait until the pros have had a chance to work with and evaluate the…Read more
How to make your interiors more pet friendly
If you are like most pet owners you love your furry members of the family, but you also feel like you have to sacrifice your sense of style in your…Read more
Captured: The Ruins of Detroit
Up and down Detroit’s streets, buildings stand abandoned and in ruin. French photographers Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre set out to document the decline of an American city. Their book…Read more
Up on the roof: Those darn ice dams
A Wayland, Mass. man was felled by a piece of ice as big as a desk this weekend when he was trying to clear an ice dam from his roof.…Read more
Ten Myths About the New Energy-efficient CFL Light Bulbs
The BC government is phasing out the old inefficient incandescent light bulbs, as a way to help us save money and become more energy efficient, but as a result, there’s…Read more
Earthquake awareness – tips to prepare for ‘the big one’
Not all of our readers live in earthquake zones but coastal BC is very much aware of the need to be prepared for 'the big one'. A province-wide initiative resulted…Read more
The Importance of Bathroom and Kitchen Fans
Bathroom and kitchen fans are an important part of your home's ventilation system. They remove odours from your house, which improves indoor air quality. They also remove moisture, which decreases the…Read more
Good-bye incandescent bulbs, hello mercury
The most popular sizes of incandescent light bulbs will disappear from most store shelves in B.C. within the next few weeks and the most common replacement lights cost up to…Read more
Indoor Air Quality
With Canadians spending more than 90% of their time indoors, much of it at home, the "healthiness" of their home is a serious issue. Poor indoor air can have a…Read more
Radon – A Guide for Canadian Homeowners
What is Radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It is formed bythe breakdown of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in soil, rock and…Read more
Holiday Parody – On the 6th day of building…6 Formers Forming!
Our parody on the Twelve Days of Christmas continues. We dare you not to sing them out loud! Six formers forming, Five golden kings! (of finance that is!) Four house plans…Read more
Holiday Parody – On the second day of building…
Our parody on the Twelve Days of Christmas continues. We dare you not to sing them out loud! Two steel-toed boots, and a journal for my hopes and dreams! ************************************************************ Ah, my…Read more
Daily splash – creating a kid-friendly bathroom
Designing a kid-friendly bathroom can be a challenge. Color and pattern are great in small doses, but too much whimsy, and the room runs the risk of being quickly outgrown. We asked…Read more
Backup Power For Your Home
The following list of topics pertaining to backup power for your home is covered in the About Your House — General Series from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). …Read more
Gas Fireplace Maintenance
Home maintenance is a must for preserving the value of one of your greatest assests and to assure the comfort and safety of your family. These days, many homes feature…Read more
Fireplace Maintenance and Safety
Tend to your chimney with care with these pointers. Enjoying a warm, cozy fire requires a clean, safe fireplace. Here are some tips for keeping it that way: Fireplaces should…Read more
Official Opening of the EchoHaven EQuilibriumTM Home in Calgary, Alberta
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Nov. 12, 2010) - Today, the Government of Canada announced the official opening of the EchoHaven Home, an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home in Calgary, Alberta. The home was…Read more
Creating an Attractive Universal Design Bath
This bathroom has an interesting contemporary style. What may not be obvious at first glance, however, is that this is a wheelchair-friendly space. The sink is designed with clearance underneath…Read more